Engagement Photos: A Timeline Guide

First things first, congratulations! Take this special time in your lives to celebrate. There are many benefits to taking Engagement Photos before your Wedding. The best reason is to get to work with your wedding photographer and get comfortable being in front of the camera with their style. You can also use the photos for your website, save-the-date cards, day of Wedding decor or submit them to your local newspaper for an announcement. However you decide to do it, here are a few timeline tips for Engagement photos.

1. Take a selfie right after getting engaged within a day or two.You’ll be grinning for days.

2. If you plan on sending out announcements for your local paper, schedule an engagement session with a photographer within the first month. It could be a hired- on photographer or if you already have a wedding photographer, check to see if an engagement session is included in your package. Make sure to check your local paper’s guidelines and sizing requirements beforehand.


3. Many couples use their engagement photos in their Save-the-Dates and Wedding website. Once you have set a date for your wedding and plan on sending a Save-the-Date, have photos taken 8-10 months before and send the Save-the-Dates no later than 6 months before the wedding.


4. You can also take engagement photos once you’ve booked a wedding photographer. Some photographers already include it in wedding packages. This is a great way to get to know your photographer's style and practice as a couple in front of the camera.  You’ll be a lot more comfortable on your wedding day if you establish a relationship with your photographer early on.

5. If you are going to submit a photo for your newspaper wedding announcement, check their guidelines and plan on scheduling a picture taking session at least three months before. Larger newspapers will take submissions up to six weeks before the date.


6. Want to try your wedding day look? Book an engagement session with your photographer on the same day as your hair and makeup trial. If you’ve already done your engagement session, you could book a bridal portrait session instead. 


HOW TO CHOOSE A LOCATION FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION

Choosing a location to do an engagement session can be a lot of fun for couples. It’s best to pick a place that you will feel comfortable and is accessible for the photographer. Pick a place that represents your personalities and your life together. It could be your favorite place to hang out or eat. If you are adventurous and love being outdoors, look into local and national parks nearby. Open fields are always great for creating an outdoorsy feel and taking advantage of natural lighting. The comfort of your own home is also an option for those seeking a more cozy, down-to-earth vibe. If you live in a busy city, your photographer will have recommendations for where and when to do a photo shoot if it’s planned in the more touristy areas. No matter what you two decide for your engagement session, have fun with it! It’s a great time to shake any nerves out and practice ahead of time before your wedding day. 

WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?

Since Engagement photos are about your love story as a couple, it’s good to coordinate a cohesive look. Your looks don’t have to match exactly, but should try and complement each other in one way or another. Solid colors are always a safe way to go when choosing what to wear, but don’t be shy from adding different textures to your wardrobes to spice it up. Bring several outfits and talk with your photographer. They will visually put the outfits together given the location where the engagement photo shoot takes place.